Tag Archives: It’s Your Park Day

Andrew Rowlas, a community activist and former educator, has announced his candidacy for alderman of the 50th Ward, challenging two-term incumbent Debra Silverstein.

Rowlas is campaigning on a progressive platform of economic development centered around small businesses, improved educational opportunities for neighborhood students, and civic engagement by neighborhood residents.

His goals are in sharp contrast to Silverstein’s eight years of inertia. The ward still waits for the economic development plan she promised in 2011. Her lack of transparency and refusal to engage with her constituents are near legendary, even for Chicago. She is one of the Mayor’s most dependable stooges, a reliable member of the rubber-stamp brigade in the City Council.

Rowlas has served as president of the West Ridge Community Organization, is a leading member of LEARN–the coalition of community members and organizations that led the charge for a new library– and has worked extensively to foster communication and cooperation between and with all ethnic and religious communities across the ward. He was instrumental in the formation of the Warren Park Advisory Council, which gives local residents a voice in Park activities.

It’s worth noting that, after nearly 8 years in office, Silverstein had never shown any interest in connecting the north side’s largest park with its nearby residents. Rowlas saw the need to do so and rallied other activists to make it happen. Just imagine the great things that could happen in the 50th with a proactive alderman!

Rowlas spent 38 years as a teacher, counselor, and principal. He would be a strong voice for increased quality educational opportunities both in the ward and across Chicago.

Support the Rowlas campaign by volunteering or donating via the campaign Web site, rowlasforward50.com.

Silverstein will not be able to run a Rose Garden campaign this year. I look forward to the coming debates. And so should you.

“It’s Your Park Day” will be celebrated on Saturday, June 17, in parks througout Chicago. It’s a great opportunity to both enjoy and improve some of the most beautiful parks in the U.S. A list of the parks participating in this year’s event appears below. Unfortunately, none of the parks in the 50th Ward are included this year, but neighboring parks are: Buttercup Playlot Park (4901 North Sheridan Road) and Cedar Park Playlot (5311 North Winthrop), both in Uptown.

The event is sponsored by the Chicago Parks Foundation and Chicago Park District Advisory Councils. Volunteers will contribute to park improvement through a variety of tasks, including trash pickup, tree mulching, and maintaining community gardens. They will also replace fibar on playgrounds–that kind of bouncy cushion that serves as flooring in park playgrounds and keeps kids of all ages from injuries during falls or hard landings. Tools will be provided by Home Depot.

You’ll be rewarded for your hard work with a tee shirt, Trader Joe’s fruit, KIND snacks, High Brew coffee, and water. You’ll also have the satisfaction of accomplishing a good deed as well as a more beautiful park to enjoy this summer. Last year more than 700 volunteers gave their time to 37 parks across the city. This year, more than 41 parks have registered for the event.

It’s Your Park Day is set for Saturday, June 17, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers are encouraged to register in advance.

Like this:

The Chicago Parks Foundation is hosting “It’s Your Park Day” on Saturday, June 18, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Volunteers will help clean local parks by mulching trees, replacing fiber on playgrounds, and cleaning green spaces. More than 300 volunteers helped get 15 parks ready for summer in 2015.

As of today, Indian Boundary Park is the only 50th Ward park registered to take part in the clean-up.

Tools and supplies will be provided by Home Depot. Volunteers will receive It’s Your Park Day T-shirts, KIND snacks, and water as well as the satisfaction of taking care of our community’s green spaces.

According to the Foundation, only the park manager or park advisory council can register a park for the event, so if your park isn’t registered please contact the appropriate people and recruit community members to the cause.